Harvest 2014 Update

This year's harvest is quickly approaching completion, one of the earliest on record. Some Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec is still hanging on the vines (see Figgins and àMaurice below) but that, too, will be picked this week or next. Harvest will be pretty much done by the middle of the month. Harvesting conditions are near ideal, with temperatures in the 70's and 80's, mostly sunny, and expected to continue through the week. Quality is expected to be excellent, although high sugars will make vinification tricky.

 

Walla Walla Wineries on the Move

There are a couple of wineries that have relocated or will be. Waters (which vacated it's old location on J.B. George Road at the end of May) has moved to a new state of the art temperature conrolled winemaking facility on Peppers Bridge Road, just below Amavi Cellars. Waters has an improvised tasting table there, pouring Waters and Ashley Trout's Flying Trout. The downtown Tero/Flying Trout/Waters tasting room continues to be in operation. The other news is that Charles Smith will be moving his winemaking operation to Seattle, on South Albro Place in Georgetown. The winery, which includes Charles Smith, K Vintners, and its winemaker (Brennon Leighton and Andrew Matta) labels is shooting for a Spring 2015 opening. According to the winery, it "outgrew" the Walla Walla facility. The winery will keep its downtown Walla Walla tasting room on Spokane Street.

 

Fall Release at Figgins and àMaurice

On Saturday, October 4th, FIGGINS and àMaurice Cellars had their Fall Release events. The Figgins event was held at the Estate Vineyard overlooking Mill Creek Road, with a vista of the Blue Mountains, and rows of vines, with their ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes. The newly released 2013 Estate Riesling and 2011 FIGGINS Estate Red Wine (to be reviewed in the December Review of Washington Wines) were poured, paired with grilled prawns and Lostine Cattle Co. beef. After Figgins, we went over to àMaurice, where the new 2012 Conner Lee Chardonnay and 2011 Estate Reds were poured (to be reviewed in the November issue). There was live music, with winemaker Anna Schafer's new husband, Larry Cohen, playing the drums. Also present were Anna's parents, Tom and Kathleen Schafer, and her brother Nick. Tasty pizzas were provided by the Why Not Pizza mobile wagon. During the event, we also took time to look at the Estate Vineyard with its nearly ripe Malbec and Cabernet grapes.

 

October Wine Deals from L'Ecole

For the month of October, L'Ecole No. 41 is offering $10 flat rate shipping for up to one case. The winery has just released it's fine 2011 Estate Merlot (58% Seven Hills, 42% Ferguson Ridge) which will be reviewed in December. The winery also has a terrific 2012 Grenache, which is available only from the winery. Only about twenty cases are left, so here's the review:

2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($36) - Brilliant crimson colored, this wine emits seductive aromas of wild raspberry, huckleberry, cranberry and red currant, with scents of red roses, lavender, bayberry, orange peel and incense. The medium bodied flavors are delciously supple and generous, with copious amounts of red and blue fruits, intermixed with cocoa powder, black tea and Wahluke scorched earth. The wine turns thick and chewy on the back with sensations of pressed berries, framboise liqueur, dried fruits, and dustings of spice and herbs on the moderate tannin and acid finish. 19/20 points.

 

Off to France on Wednesday - Next Blog in Three Weeks

On Wednesday, October 8th, Lynn and I will be flying to France for visits south of Paris and in Burgundy and the North Rhone, returning on October 25th. There will be no Review of Washington Wines Blog postinsg during that time. The next posting will be on Monday, October 27th, in which I will report on our visits to wineries in Burgundy. On October 29th, the November issue of the Review of Washington Wines will go on line, along with a report on the North Rhone.